The little country that couldn't
By Randy Hillier
web posted May 20, 2002
There once was a proud and free country that took up the
northern half of North America. Ambitious loyalists, natives,
pioneers and poor immigrants forged this country. It was so
popular and tolerant that immigrants from around the world were
drawn to it. The land of the Maple Leaf became the land of the
True North Strong and Free. The name of these inhabitants and
their land became synonymous with peace, protection of
freedoms and independence. This country was named Canada.
But the pendulum of change swings slowly between the needs of
the collective and the needs of the individual and seldom finds
balance. Canadian governments and bureaucrats have begun to
legislate tolerance, and to quietly license, and limit, personal
freedom and liberty. Students are suspended from school for
writing fictional essays, and for not informing the authorities of
their friends' intentions. I now need six federal-provincial licences
and registrations to take my son duck hunting, and I'm a criminal
if I leave home without them. Government and educators now
promote the collective over the individual. They belittle the need
to participate in, or be knowledgeable of, government.
Government and bureaucrats have instituted economic
disincentives, such as taxes, into society, and created have-nots,
welfare and homeless classes. All this is happening under the
camouflage of a kinder, gentler, more Just Society.
Intolerance and disincentives are a virus, nurtured by the
bureaucracy. And our politicians can't recognize the problems or
administer the cures. Today, we have a country our forefathers
would not recognize. Our society is being transformed from a
"can" to a "can not" from a "have" to a "have not." Eight of 10
provinces receive equalization payments from the other two.
Property rights are not enshrined in our Constitution; ownership
of property is a privilege bestowed by government. The
entrenchment of collective rights in our Constitution has usurped
the strength, need and importance of individual rights. Can a
collective group have rights where an individual does not? How
can a right be subject to "notwithstanding?" How did we ever
allow peace, order and good government to become more
valuable than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Canada has institutionalized discrimination, inequality and
intolerance under the guise of employment equity and political
correctness. We have lowered our standards to qualify the
unqualified. Police, firefighters and soldiers are examples of
careers where physical strength and stamina have been deemed
optional. Today, you can't advance within the federal
government unless you are bilingual; you can't be an officer in the
military or RCMP unless you speak French. Hard-working
common people are taxed in every imaginable manner, their
wealth removed and redistributed to provide multicultural
programs and centres which they, unless a member of a select
group, are not allowed to use. Are these the policies that
promote understanding and tolerance? Or is this the way to
create animosity, disrespect, and hopelessness? Our innate trust
and respect for one another is being legislated, regulated and
taxed into distrust and disrespect.
Our politicians and educators have lowered the standard of
expectations to the point where an increasing number of people
no longer participate in our democracy. Why should we vote
when politicians are all the same? Why should we vote when
politicians don't listen? Why should we vote when only special-
interest groups can push their agenda? The lessening of voter
participation is important for governments. Fewer people
participating in elections means less money and effort is needed
to win an election. The future of this path is indeed dark and
frightening. Will our future ruling oligarchy have compassion for
the people? Will the people have the means to restrain our
friendly dictators? The chains of subjugation are being forged in
the lethargy of the people, and our children will be the ones who
wear them. This forge burns hot and constant, fuelled by the
inequities of our education and legal systems.
The Liberals profess there is no brain drain. But their policies
encourage not only the brains, but also the bodies, of our best
and brightest to leave. Punishing taxes, regulatory systems and
disregard for their aspirations are the means. These disincentives
are many and are found in the incredible maze of bureaucratic
regulations and taxes. The concept upon which a democracy is
built is that government is a contract with the people guaranteeing
their right to liberty, freedom, property and security. This ideal is
lost in the darkness of ignorance; greed and the corruption of
power keeps it hidden. The key to the solution is found in a well-
educated public that is encouraged to participate in government.
Welcome to CAN'TADA, home of the not so free, no longer
strong, and much less tolerant. Who is on guard for thee?
This is Randy Hillier's first contribution to Enter Stage Right. This
article first appeared in the Ottawa Citizen.
Enter Stage Right - http://www.enterstageright.com